King of K-pop

THE year was 2018 when G-Dragon withdrew himself from the spotlight. Upon the release of his solo, self-titled album Kwon Ji Yong, he enlisted in the military, and the King of K-pop took a break from his solo activities to fulfil his mandatory national service as well as explore other pursuits. Seven years is a… Continue reading King of K-pop

Accountability matters in age of influence

AMID growing concern over attention-seeking stunts and misleading digital content, the Communications and Multimedia Content Forum of Malaysia (Content Forum) is calling for greater accountability from influencers and content creators across platforms. Influence does not just attract followers, it can activate real emotions, real reactions, and sometimes, real consequences. While many create to entertain or… Continue reading Accountability matters in age of influence

Bear necessities: Preserving nature’s farmers

WHEN Tourism Malaysia unveiled the sun bears Wira and Manja as mascots of Visit Malaysia 2026, many gushed over their cuteness that could rival pop culture favourites Paddington and Winnie the Pooh. The smallest and rarest of its kind, these bears have not always enjoyed the spotlight. Even so, their population have fallen victim to… Continue reading Bear necessities: Preserving nature’s farmers

Heady stew of sound

WHAT does a well-known TV chef bring to a heavy metal album? Meaty hooks? Carnivorous vocals? Bad puns aside, this is Seasons in Black’s first album in a dozen years. Fronted by Lucki Maurer, who is well-known in his homeland Germany as popular TV chef, Seasons in Black started life as a pure unadulterated black… Continue reading Heady stew of sound

Respect for Zero rages at world with suitably angry soundtrack

NOT an album per se, Overtime is Italian hardcore outfit’s debut recording for the Time to Kill imprint. Released on June 30, this prime slice of hardcore punk is full of rage, angst and undisguised aural violence – all condensed into a 10-minute EP. Taking the raging slam that has its roots in the Big… Continue reading Respect for Zero rages at world with suitably angry soundtrack

Acer elevates dynamic lifestyles with portable AI laptop, display

ACER today launched a new suite of portable devices designed for modern lifestyles, including the ultra-light Acer Swift Edge 14 AI laptop that was unveiled at Computex 2025, alongside the versatile Acer PM161QT portable touch display and the AOpen QF23s smart portable projector. This dynamic trio, which was unveiled in conjunction with its Acer Day… Continue reading Acer elevates dynamic lifestyles with portable AI laptop, display

Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath legend and bat-biting rock icon, dies at 76

LONDON/LOS ANGELES: Ozzy Osbourne, frontman of 1970s heavy metal band Black Sabbath, earned his infamy biting the head off a bat on stage and pursuing a drug-fuelled lifestyle before reinventing himself as a loveable if often foul-mouthed reality TV star. Known to fans as “The Prince of Darkness” and the “Godfather of Heavy Metal,“ Osbourne… Continue reading Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath legend and bat-biting rock icon, dies at 76

Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath legend and bat-biting rock icon, dies at 76

LONDON/LOS ANGELES: Ozzy Osbourne, frontman of 1970s heavy metal band Black Sabbath, earned his infamy biting the head off a bat on stage and pursuing a drug-fuelled lifestyle before reinventing himself as a loveable if often foul-mouthed reality TV star. Known to fans as “The Prince of Darkness” and the “Godfather of Heavy Metal,“ Osbourne… Continue reading Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath legend and bat-biting rock icon, dies at 76

Reflections of rest

There is an unspoken elegance to a well-designed bedroom – sunlight softly filtered through curtains, thoughtfully chosen textures, and curated calm in every corner. But beneath the visual harmony lies something more subtle yet far more powerful: the invisible flow of energy. In the world of feng shui, it is this flow, known as qi,… Continue reading Reflections of rest

Flighting for artistic rights

LITHUANIAN artist Ernest Zacharevic’s latest exhibition is not just an art showcase, but a boarding pass into the turbulence of artistic rights, corporate irony and public engagement. Housed at Cultprint on Lebuh Melayu, the immersive installation titled We Need to Talk transforms the gallery into a full-fledged airport terminal, complete with a faux check-in counter,… Continue reading Flighting for artistic rights

You.will.knovv artistes to play gig in Kuala Lumpur

KOREAN alternative R&B label You.will.knovv has announced it is going on tour across Asia for the first time with three of its artistes on board and Malaysia is included! Featuring Tabber, Rad Museum and Miso, You.will.knovv in Malaysia 2025 is bringing the vibes to ZEPP Kuala Lumpur on Oct 4. Founded by fellow artiste Dean… Continue reading You.will.knovv artistes to play gig in Kuala Lumpur

Con men camaraderie

TRUTH is, few expect a Cantonese-Mandarin comedy-thriller about scam syndicates to deliver more than some noise, loud acting and a recycled plot. But Money Game$ surprises in the best way. Directed by Matt Lai and backed by a powerhouse cast including Jack Lim, Eric Tsang and Bobby Au-Yeung, this rollercoaster dives into the flashy, fast-paced… Continue reading Con men camaraderie

Global audiences wait with bated breath for show’s finale

WHEN Squid Game season three premiered on June 27, the expectations were as towering as the doll from Red Light, Green Light. The third and final chapter of Netflix’s most-watched series promised resolution and revenge and largely delivers, albeit with a deeper, more cerebral twist than its blood-soaked predecessors. The games are back, but so… Continue reading Global audiences wait with bated breath for show’s finale

Victim of domestic strife refuses to lie down

ASTRO continues to champion women empowerment with the launch of Aadhira, a Vinmeen-exclusive drama that is as socially conscious as it is emotionally gripping. Adapted from the popular Malay series Syurga Itu Bukan Mudah, this 28-episode Tamil version is helmed by director R. Azizan and reimagined with urban polish and a bold message to speak… Continue reading Victim of domestic strife refuses to lie down

Suria KLCC elevates ‘park picnics’ into full-fledged festival

SURIA KLCC recently wrapped up the return of its “Picnic in the Park”, which this year debuted in a vibrant festival set against the backdrop of KLCC Park and the Esplanade KLCC. Held from July 4 to 6, the three-day outdoor event brought together the joy of al-fresco dining and curated lifestyle experiences in a… Continue reading Suria KLCC elevates ‘park picnics’ into full-fledged festival

The Bear grows up

A progression on almost all fronts, The Bear’s fourth season moves away from its early years of chefs engaging in shouting matches over trivial matters and having their issues simmer unnecessarily long in the pot, as show creator Christopher Storer finally moves the series and its characters towards an overdue adult form. Following the mixed… Continue reading The Bear grows up

Pink Floyd’s 1971 Pompeii gig finally gets vinyl release

Body Text: PINK Floyd at Pompeii is truly a historic musical document – capturing as it did a band on the cusp of superstardom. Originally filmed in the ruins of Pompeii in 1971, it was released as a concert movie the following year which saw the band take its first step towards global domination with… Continue reading Pink Floyd’s 1971 Pompeii gig finally gets vinyl release

Ocean treasures

LAST year marked a historic milestone for local food enthusiasts as Korea’s premium MiGyeongSan Hanwoo beef made its Malaysian debut. With the help of Plan New founder Olivia Lee-Lepinoy, Malaysia became the first country outside South Korea to sample the exclusive halal beef delicacy. This year, Lee extends the tradition yet again, introducing Korea’s premium… Continue reading Ocean treasures

Pink Floyd’s 1971 Pompeii gig finally gets vinyl release

PINK Floyd at Pompeii is truly a historic musical document – capturing as it did a band on the cusp of superstardom. Originally filmed in the ruins of Pompeii in 1971, it was released as a concert movie the following year which saw the band take its first step towards global domination with the release… Continue reading Pink Floyd’s 1971 Pompeii gig finally gets vinyl release

Honouring heritage through food

SHANGRI-LA KUALA LUMPUR has been recognised as Malaysia’s first five-star hotel to be certified as a Malaysian Heritage Cuisine Hotel. The recognition was conferred by the National Heritage Department, along with the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry during the hotel’s launch of its Malaysian Heritage Cuisine. Along with the honour, 2025 marks Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur’s… Continue reading Honouring heritage through food

Bedroom affairs

In the elegant world of interiors, where design meets intention, few rooms hold as much energetic weight as the bedroom. This is not simply where we sleep. It is where we restore, reflect and realign with ourselves. And yet, within this deeply personal space, one small oversight in layout can ripple into something much larger:… Continue reading Bedroom affairs

Hybe Cine Fest 2025 debuts at Golden Screen Cinemas

STARTING from today until July 13, K-pop fans in Malaysia are in for a treat as Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) presents Hybe Cine Fest in Asia, bringing the magic of K-pop to the big screens. More than that, K-pop enthusiasts can look forward to an exciting line-up of immersive on-ground events held in conjunction with… Continue reading Hybe Cine Fest 2025 debuts at Golden Screen Cinemas

Slowly we rot!

DANNY Boyle and Alex Garland are back and they have brought all the strange, cerebral horror fans could hope for. The long-awaited third instalment in the iconic zombie franchise, 28 Years Later, does not just revisit the blood-soaked wastelands of Britain, it digs deeper, spirals weirder and challenges expectations at every turn. It is a… Continue reading Slowly we rot!

Return of Silent Death

ASK fans of domestic death metal and the name Silent Death will surely crop up. Famed for its raw and uncompromising sound, the band then led by founding member and lead vocalist Stone released Before the Sunrise in 1992. After the untimely passings of Stone, Pink and Az, the band went into indefinite hiatus with… Continue reading Return of Silent Death

Keeping claypots simmering

IN an age of air-fryers and non-stick pans, the Penang Hindu Association (PHA) is bringing the spotlight back to a centuries-old cooking method while inviting the public to get their hands dirty in the process. At this year’s George Town Heritage Celebration (GTHC), visitors can revisit the art of claypot making at PHA’s booth, where… Continue reading Keeping claypots simmering

Broken body, fractured mind

IF the entire series of events around Jonathan Majors’s physical assault crimes had not happened and upended his career, the actor would have easily secured awards season nominations and even won some for playing the more troubled Killian Maddox in Magazine Dreams. Obsessed with bodybuilding, grocery store worker Killian lives each day with the singular… Continue reading Broken body, fractured mind

MALF2025 breaks records at Sepang Circuit

THE inaugural Malaysia Auto and Lifestyle Festival 2025 (MALF 2025) has wrapped up its three-day run earlier this month. It attracted over 20,000 local and international automotive enthusiasts and featured a showcase of 1,800 vehicles from a wide range of brands. MALF 2025 also made headlines by setting a new Malaysia Book of Records entry… Continue reading MALF2025 breaks records at Sepang Circuit

Action-packed thrills

Throwing as many similar sounding and confusing names at the screen as the punches and kicks, Mercy for None is the latest South Korean action-crime series to hit Netflix. Crime organisations Joowoon Group and Bongsan Group co-exist in harmony following an incident that split their original gang Beomyeongdong a decade ago. After Joowoon’s leader Lee… Continue reading Action-packed thrills

Benefits of cooking with claypot

ALTHOUGH many Malaysian households having the latest modern conveniences, one item that is always ubiquitous is the humble claypot. Earthenware can be found in almost every kitchen, regardless of class or ethnicity. Here are some of the reasons for the claypot’s enduring popularity. Eco-friendly option Given that the base material is an environemntally-friendly substance, there… Continue reading Benefits of cooking with claypot

Back to unconventional

FOR most pop artistes, exploration is a scary word. Following one’s musical muse does not always pan out according to plan, especially when it differs from current music trends. Miley Cyrus’s artistry, therefore, has been a breath of fresh air. Since her Disney days, Cyrus has constantly made it a point to evolve. From embracing… Continue reading Back to unconventional

KLP48 to mark first anniversary with ‘Bloom’ concert at Zepp KL

KUALA Lumpur-based idol group KLP48 will celebrate its first anniversary with a concert titled Bloom, taking place on Aug 16 at ZEPP Kuala Lumpur. Organised by 48 Entertainment Sdn Bhd, the concert will showcase KLP48’s diverse line-up and high-energy performances. Formed in 2024 as part of Japan’s globally recognised AKB48 franchise, KLP48 carries forward the… Continue reading KLP48 to mark first anniversary with ‘Bloom’ concert at Zepp KL